Element, preferably a closure element for inserting into a bore in a component

Abstract

An element is provided in particular as a closure element or fastening element for inserting into a bore in a component, such as into a bore in an engine, a valve block, a hydraulic unit or a container. At least one electric element which is arranged in or on the element is provided, wherein each electric element transmits and/or receives electric signals. In the fitted state, the electric element is advantageously positioned such that the electric element is adjacent to the chamber formed in the bore and is therefore in contact, for measuring purposes or the like, with the medium contained in the bore. In addition to the actual sealing and/or fastening function, the element can therefore be used to undertake one or more measurements, etc.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A closure or fastening element for inserting into a bore in a component, comprising:
 a base body insertable into the bore; 
 a splaying body that braces the base body when present in the bore and defines an opening; 
 at least one electric element arranged at least partly in the opening of the splaying body, each of the at least one electric element transmitting and/or receiving electric signals; and 
 a tension bolt connected to the splaying body via a predetermined breaking point that enables the tension bolt to separate from the splaying body when the base body is present in the bore. 
 
     
     
       2. The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the bore includes a chamber, the splaying body being configured such that the at least one electric element is adjacent the chamber when the base body is present in the bore and is adapted to come into contact with any medium in the bore. 
     
     
       3. The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the base body has an outer circumferential surface, which when the base body is present in the bore, lies against an inner surface of the bore, and the base body is sleeve-shaped. 
     
     
       4. The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electric element is integrated into the splaying body. 
     
     
       5. The element according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one electric element comprises one of a sensor, an actuator, a transducer, a chip, and a measuring converter, the at least one electric element including at least one line connection and/or configured to at least one of transmit and receive radio signals. 
     
     
       6. The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the tension bolt is configured such that by applying a force to the tension bolt, when the predetermined breaking point shears off and separates from the splaying body, the splaying body is positionable into the base body so that the splaying body is pressed tight against a wall of the bore to be closed by producing a radial pressure on an inner wall of the base body. 
     
     
       7. The element according to  claim 6 , wherein the opening in the splaying body for receiving the at least one electric element has a length such that this opening extends through the predetermined breaking point and so, after the shearing off, a continuous opening is produced in the splaying body by means of which the at least one electric element inserted tightly into the splaying body is adjacent to a chamber formed in the bore on one side and has electric connections leading away to the outside on an opposite side. 
     
     
       8. The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electric element is configured to perform a sealing function of the closure element. 
     
     
       9. The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the splaying body is in the form of a sleeve. 
     
     
       10. The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the base body is in the form of a sleeve. 
     
     
       11. The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the splaying body and the base body are each in the form of a sleeve. 
     
     
       12. The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the base body is configured to extend around and exterior of an outer circumferential surface of the splaying body. 
     
     
       13. The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the base body is configured to be put over the splaying body when both the base body and splaying body are present in the bore. 
     
     
       14. The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening in the splaying body extends through the predetermined breaking point to join with an open area of the tension bolt such that the opening is exposed after the tension bolt separates from the splaying body. 
     
     
       15. The element according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one electric element has at least one line connection extending into the opening. 
     
     
       16. A closure or fastening element for inserting into a bore in a component, comprising:
 a closure disc insertable into the bore, the closure disc having an opening; 
 a tension bolt coupled to the closure disc and having a predetermined breaking point adjacent the closure disc, the closure disc being configured to be splayed by an axial force in the tension bolt and thereby being able to be pushed radially against an inner wall of the bore to be closed when the closure disc is present in the bore and the tension bolt is coupled to the closure disc, and the tension bolt being separable from the closure disc at the predetermined breaking point; and 
 an electric element arranged at least partly in the opening of the closure disc. 
 
     
     
       17. The element according to  claim 16 , wherein the closure disc is a one-part closure disc constituting a head part of the tension bolt. 
     
     
       18. The element according to  claim 16 , wherein the opening in the closure disc is adjacent the tension bolt. 
     
     
       19. The element according to  claim 16 , wherein the electric element has at least one line connection extending into the opening. 
     
     
       20. The element according to  claim 16 , wherein the opening in the closure disc extends through the predetermined breaking point to join with an open area of the tension bolt such that the opening is exposed after the tension bolt separates from the closure disc.